Every day matters
At Charles Darwin School, we want every pupil to have the best possible opportunity to learn, belong, grow and achieve.
Regular attendance is an important part of this. Every day in school brings lessons, friendships, experiences and opportunities that cannot always be recreated when a pupil is absent.
We know that there will be times when a pupil is genuinely too unwell to attend, and we also recognise that some pupils face additional barriers to being in school. When this happens, we want families to talk to us early so that we can understand what is happening and put the right support in place.
Be here. Be part of it.
Report an absence or lateness
If your child is going to be absent or late, please let us know as early as possible on every day of absence and tell us the reason.
If a pupil we expect to be in school is not here and we have not received an explanation, we will contact home.
We will notice
Start Strong: 10 for 10
The beginning of a new school year is an opportunity for every pupil to make a fresh start.
Our 10 for 10 challenge encourages pupils to attend every one of the first ten school days of the year.
Those first days matter. They are when routines are established, friendships reconnect, expectations are set and new learning begins.
Pupils who complete the challenge will be recognised and celebrated, with rewards, recognition and some surprises along the way.
10 school days. 100% attendance. One brilliant start.
Attendance Champions
Throughout the year, we want pupils to recognise their attendance successes and understand their next step.
Our Attendance Champions programme celebrates excellent attendance, but just as importantly, it recognises genuine improvement and progress.
Pupils will have opportunities throughout the year to receive recognition and rewards for their attendance and progress.
Your next step matters.
Is my child too ill for school?
There will be times when a pupil is genuinely too unwell to attend school. When that happens, the right place for them is at home getting better.
However, children do not always need to feel 100% to attend. Minor illnesses do not necessarily mean that a pupil needs to miss the whole school day.
If your child is well enough to attend, we encourage them to give school a go. If they become more unwell during the day, we can contact you.
If you are unsure whether your child should attend, NHS guidance can help.
Medical and dental appointments
Wherever possible, routine medical and dental appointments should be arranged outside school hours.
Where this is not possible, pupils should attend school before and/or after their appointment whenever they are well enough to do so.
Please provide the school with details of the appointment and request only the minimum amount of time away from school that is necessary.
What if my child is struggling to attend?
Sometimes absence is a sign that something else is happening.
This might include anxiety, friendship difficulties, bullying, SEND-related needs, physical or mental health difficulties, difficulties at home or something a pupil is finding difficult to explain.
Please talk to us early.
You do not need to wait until your child's attendance has fallen significantly before asking for help.
NOTICE -> TALK -> SUPPORT -> PLAN -> FORMAL ACTION
NOTICE - We notice when attendance changes or a pattern begins to develop.
TALK - We talk with pupils and families to understand what is happening.
SUPPORT - We work together to remove barriers and put appropriate support in place.
PLAN - Where more help is needed, we agree clear actions and review progress together.
FORMAL ACTION - Where absence remains unauthorised and support has not been successful, appropriate or engaged with, formal action may be considered.
Our aim is always to help pupils return to regular attendance wherever possible.
Contact us for attendance support
Punctuality matters too
Being in school means being on time and ready to learn.
Pupils should arrive at school by 8.15am, ready for morning registration at 8.30am.
Arriving late can mean missing important information and learning at the beginning of the day. Repeated lateness will therefore be followed up by the school.
Term-time holidays and leave of absence
Parents should not normally expect the school to authorise leave during term time.
The Headteacher may grant leave of absence only in exceptional circumstances, and requests are considered individually.
Family holidays during term time will not normally constitute exceptional circumstances.
Unauthorised absence may result in formal intervention in accordance with the national framework and the school's Attendance Policy.
Working together
Improving attendance works best when school, pupils and families work together.
We ask families to make attendance and punctuality a priority, report absence promptly, arrange appointments outside school wherever possible and talk to us early when something is making attendance difficult.
In return, families can expect us to notice, listen and support. We will work with pupils and families to understand barriers, recognise success and improvement, and be clear about what needs to happen when concerns continue.
Every day. Every lesson. Every opportunity.
Be here. Be part of it.
ASPIRE | ENDEAVOUR | ACHIEVE
Read our Attendance Policy 2026/27